The TC Electronic Dual Wreck is a two-channel high-gain preamp pedal that models the Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier, the amp behind a generation of metal, grunge and rock records. It is part of TC Electronic's Ampworx series of preamp pedals, and it puts the amp's two channels, a pre and post boost and a built-in speaker simulation into a single stompbox12. Guitar World's review summed it up as a pedal that "delivers the essence of the US high-gain sound on a budget with two channels, pre/post boost and speaker" emulation2.
What it is and how it works
The Dual Wreck is a digital pedal built with TC Electronic's AMPWORX modeling technology. Pedal of the Day calls it "a true-to-life digital simulation of a 1995 Revision G Dual Rectifier tube amplifier" and "a monster that emulates the classic Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier amp"1. You switch between the Dual Rec channel and a high-gain lead channel, and the pedal carries the pre and post boost switch MusicRadar notes alongside its Tight control6.
Because the amp modeling and the Celestion 4x12 V30 cab sim are both inside the pedal4, the Dual Wreck can feed a power amp and cabinet like a normal preamp, or run direct. Delicious Audio lists a "Dedicated DI output for effortless integration with DAWs, studio setups, and PA systems. Headphone output for private monitoring"5, so it can be the whole rig for silent practice or direct recording.
Controls
Pedal of the Day counts seven parameters on the pedal, "including Tight and Presence controls"1. The Tight parameter is for "reigning in the low end"6, which matters on a high-gain preamp where loose bass can turn fast riffing to mud. Guitar World notes the pedal has "robust chrome alternatives" for its controls4.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Channel switch | Selects the Dual Rec channel or the high-gain lead channel1 |
| Tight | Reigns in the low end6 |
| Presence | One of the seven parameters Pedal of the Day names1 |
| Pre/post boost | Boost switch placed before or after the preamp section6 |
Where it sits in the Ampworx range
The Dual Wreck arrived as part of a run of Ampworx preamps that Guitar World described as stompboxes that "set their sights on a trio of classic guitar amp sounds"4. Its siblings in the series include the Ampworx V550 Preamp, the Ampworx JIMS 800 Preamp and the Ampworx DC30 Preamp, each modeling a different amp. Guitar World notes that where the 550 has a Reso parameter and the JIMS800 a Boost parameter, the Dual Wreck gets the Tight parameter4.
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Questions
What amp is the TC Electronic Dual Wreck based on?
The Dual Wreck models the Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier. Pedal of the Day describes it as a digital simulation of a 1995 Revision G Dual Rectifier tube amplifier, the amp the publication credits with helping shape metal, grunge and rock music of the 90s. Guitar World likewise calls it the Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier-inspired Dual Wreck in its coverage of the Ampworx high-gain series.
Does the Dual Wreck have a cab simulation?
Yes. Guitar World reports that the Dual Wreck uses a Celestion 4x12 V30 cab sim, so the speaker emulation is built into the pedal and you do not need a separate speaker simulator to run it into a flat response.
Can the Dual Wreck go straight into a DAW or PA?
Yes. Delicious Audio notes the pedal has a dedicated DI output for integration with DAWs, studio setups and PA systems, so you can record or run front of house without a microphone or an amp. The built-in cab sim makes the DI output a complete preamp-and-speaker signal.
What does the Tight control do?
MusicRadar describes the Tight parameter as a control for reining in the low end on the Dual Wreck. On a high-gain preamp that means tightening flubby bass so fast palm-muted riffing stays defined. Guitar World's news coverage also lists Tight as the Dual Wreck's version of the parameter its Ampworx siblings call Reso or Boost.
Does the Dual Wreck have a headphone output?
Yes. Delicious Audio lists a headphone output for private monitoring alongside the DI output, so you can practice silently with the pedal's amp and cab simulation without an amplifier or speaker cabinet.
Sources (6)
- TC Electronic Ampworx Dual Wreck Preamp, Pedal of the Day, 2023-08-13
- Universal Audio UAFX Knuckles '92 Dual Rec amp pedal review, Guitar World, 2024-11-13
- DUAL WRECK PREAMP, TC Electronic
- Affordable Dual Rectifier, JCM800 and 5150 tones for your pedalboard? TC Electronic makes a play for the high-gain sector with 3 new Ampworx pedals, Guitar World, 2023-08-10
- TC Electronic Ampworx 550, Jims 800, And Dual Wreck, Delicious Audio, 2023-08-09
- TC Electronic already has three more Ampworx preamp pedals ready: and they're based on the JCM800, 5150 and Dual Rectifier, MusicRadar, 2023-08-09
